The distributor rotor on my 1997 Accord DX is covered by a housing, which I presume must be removed before I can get to the bolt holding the rotor.

How do I remove this housing?

I'm attaching photos.

Thanks!

 

Thru that screw driver slot in the plastic cover. The rotor has to come off before the cover can be removed. My 97 LX was like that too.

 

Toecutter, are you referring to the circular hole in the cover (which I've since learned is called the "leak cover")? I don't understand. The bolt apparently goes in horizontally (see attached photos of replacement rotor).

I see no opening in that cover that will let me get to that bolt.

For what it's worth, here's a link to the distributor diagram: https://estore.honda.com/honda/parts...&b=E++0511&dl=

 

I believe it is in this slot... You will need to rotate the engine - which will rotate the rotor, until the Screw is visible in this opening.
I dont' have a '97, but by looking at the picture, this is the only thing I can see.

 

Rob, thanks very much for your illustration! After further reading and examining the image, I have a better sense of what to do.

That rotor bolt has been in there for 23 years, though, so I'm hoping a screwdriver will remove it. There doesn't appear to be enough room in that slot for a socket tool.

 

Yes, that was the "slot in the cover" I was talking about.

 

I cranked the engine to line the rotor screw up with the screwdriver slot (see photo) -- and now I'm dealing with a frozen screw.

The screw is clean, but it's been in there for 23 years. I can't budge it and I don't want to strip the head. A bolt would have been a good thought here, Honda.

Any suggestions on how I can safely remove this screw?

 

Impact driver? That's the hardest screw I've ever dealt with on any car I've ever worked on.

 

Toecutter, that is not an encouraging observation. Did you successfully remove this screw with an impact driver? If so, would a manual impact driver (https://www.harborfreight.com/6-bit-...ase-64812.html) be sufficient, or would I need a power tool (https://www.harborfreight.com/20v-hy...t-63528.html)?

Following that, did the rotor come off easily after you removed the screw?

I'm seeing various discussions recommending an impact driver, or a 12-point socket (do they even make one small enough for a #2 Phillips screw?), or cutting a flathead slot with a dremel (although I doubt a dremel will fit here).

I've tried tapping a screwdriver with a hammer while attempting to turn the screw after spraying WD-40, with no luck.

Thanks.

 

Closest thing I've done was on a 1995 Integra. I used a similar driver to the first one - sorta like a screwdriver but you hit the end with a hammer. Since then, I've bought a couple screwdrivers with a square shaft that you could put a wrench on. I suspect I might have been able to use that also.

The biggest thing is making sure you pick the best-fitting bit and keep it square so the bit doesn't cam out from the screw. And of course you have to make sure the driver is set to turn the proper direction...